A homeless man risked his life to save those who are in a similar predicament as him. Only they aren't people.
On December 18, a fire engulfed the kitchen at W-Underdogs shelter in Atlanta, Georgia. So Keith Walker, 53, immediately rushed inside.
"I was nervous as hell, I'm not going to lie," Walker told CNN. "I was really scared to go in there with all that smoke. But God put me there to save those animals."
"If you love a dog, you can love anyone in the world. My dog is my best friend, and I wouldn't be here without him, so I knew I had to save all those other dogs."
53-year-old Keith Walker rushed into the W-Underdogs shelter on December 18 after a fire engulfed its kitchen.
Image credits: w-underdogs
He successfully rescued all the animals — 6 dogs and 10 cats
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Gracie Hamlin, the founder of W-Underdogs, said Keith is her guardian angel. "Even the firefighters didn't want to handle the dogs. They called animal control, but Keith was already in the building pulling out the cats and dogs until they were all safe."
Image credits: w-underdogs
Celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior and member of the advisory board of W-Underdogs, said Keith has been homeless since he was 13 years old. He is now 53.
"He faces the many challenges of homelessness but he loves his dog," Stilwell told Bored Panda.
The staff at W-Underdogs have known Keith for quite some time now because they let him keep his dog, a pit bull named Bravo, at the shelter every night.
Actually, Walker was on his way to pick up Bravo and take him for a walk when he saw the fire.
"Bravo is a large, male pitbull with a load of energy and a friendly personality. He is very strong but very loving. He is much loved," Stilwell said.
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
According to W-Underdogs founder Gracie Hamlin, while the shelter was not completely destroyed, the fire left it uninhabitable
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Luckily, W-Underdogs was only a week away from moving into its new facility, where the animals are now safely residing
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
W-Underdogs is more than just a shelter. The organization also empowers youth through service to animals and communities. "We address the challenges that at-risk youth face and provide them with skills and a sense of accomplishment to overcome these challenges," Stilwell explained. "The relationship between the children and the animals they help rescue and rehome is very special."
She said the fire was a shock but W-Underdogs are very grateful to Keith for saving the animals they love. The critters are now safe in their new center and doing well.
"They are getting a lot of attention which they love. Some have gone to foster homes and others are waiting for foster or their forever homes. Donations are flooding in to help Keith and those will be managed for him by an organization that works with the homeless. We will also continue to work with him and look after Bravo when needed."
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
If you want to help W-Underdogs to get back on its feet, you can donate to the organization on its website
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
Image credits: w-underdogs
People have already named the man a hero
